Philippine foreign posts should take the lead in providing the Filipino community with the right information about the swine flu virus that has reportedly caused the deaths of more than 100 people in Mexico and affected other countries.

“We’re not trying to cause undue alarm. We don’t want to sound that we are in a panic mode pero it's always proven na magkaroon ng ganitong health precaution rather than maghintay tayo for it to hit us. Maghanda na tayo,” said Susan Ople, head of the Blas F. Ople Policy Center.

During Wednesday’s press conference in Quezon City, Ople said the government should take the swine flu problem seriously and alert Filipinos working as agricultural and factory workers, and household service workers throughout the world.

Ople called on the Department of Foreign Affairs, its embassies and consulates to come up with a contingency plan.

“Nanawagan kami sa Department of Foreign Affairs, sa ating mga embassy at consulate kung pwede magkaroon ng contingency plan kung saan sa kanila na mismo magmula ang pagpapaliwanag sa mga leaders at members ng Filipino community kung ano yung causes, symptoms, at preventive measures na they could take,” Ople said.

The former labor undersecretary particularly cited that not all domestic helpers have access to media and only rely on the consulates and embassies for information on matters such as public health alerts.

“Ang panawagan natin seryosohin itong health problem na ito. Pangalawa, kung pwede yung economic planners natin, yung legislators, at executive branch magkaroon ng malalim na talakayan kung ano yung pwedeng preparedness plan ng gobyerno,” she said.

Avoid travel to Mexico

On Tuesday, the DFA advised Filipino travelers to take all necessary health precautions when traveling to Mexico.

“All Filipinos traveling to Mexico are advised to avoid large crowds, shaking hands, kissing people as a greeting, and using the subway,” the DFA said in a statement. 

The DFA also advised Filipino travelers to avoid hospitals and clinics unless they have a medical emergency.

“Those with health concerns are advised to stay in their homes or hotels and call their physicians to avoid possible exposure,” stated the DFA.

Aside from Mexico, other countries like the United States, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Spain, and Israel have been reported to have or suspected to have swine flu cases.

Countries with suspected cases are Brazil, Guatemala, Peru, Australia, South Korea and seven EU states.

“Yung mga bansang nababangit, may mga Filipino workers tayo. We just want to raise that alert and ask the government to be proactive in helping our workers in this time crisis,” said Ople.

The Center said that a World Health Organization (WHO) declaration of a swine flu pandemic will dampen foreign travel, affect public and private spending, and lead to border restrictions.

“Dapat ma-factor in yan sa planning ng ating economic managers, ng ating health department at ng ating Department of Labor and Employment,” she said.

Ople also raised the need for the inclusion of a health clause in future job contracts for OFWs to ensure that foreign employers will provide health assistance to migrants affected by the virus.

“Ang concern namin talaga dito ay yung mga domestic helpers at factory workers. Maaring yung management, they can afford to buy the right kind of medicine eventually yung vaccine. Pero yung mga kababayan natin na nandoon sa vulnerable positions, kung walang ganyang clause sa kanilang employment program baka wala na silang makuhang access kapag kinakailangang,” said Ople.

For his part, newly sworn in lawmaker, ABAKADA Partylist Rep. Jonathan Dela Cruz echoed Ople’s statement.

“Ang sitwasyon dito, marami sa ating mga manggagawa ay nakakasalamuha ang madaming tao---nasa hotels, households, ospital at nasa barko. Sana ay maging proactive ang ating mga agencies, foreign affairs sa pamamagitan ng mga embassies at labor offices,” Dela Cruz said.